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Iraqi community sees Hussein regime facility demolished to make way for EOD site (Basra)

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Thursday, 17 December 2009

News release # 091216-1
December 16, 2009

Iraqi community sees Hussein regime facility demolished to make way for EOD site

By Alicia Embrey
Gulf Region South District

Basra, Iraq – Demolition started in November on a seven-story building once used by the Saddam Hussein Regime as an internment and interrogation facility. Once demolition is complete a new Iraq Security Forces Fund (ISFF) $2.6 million Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) facility will be constructed on the site in the province of Basra.

According to Ken Bright, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Gulf Region South project engineer, the community as a whole is happy about the demolition and new construction because the former Saddam Regime’s internment/interrogation facility held bad memories. “To quote the local Iraqi’s ‘many people were taken to the facility for actions that were not pleasing to the Hussein Regime and they never came out alive,’” said Bright.

Because of this, it was known to the Iraqi people in the area as a place of evil. “The GRS Iraqi associates that I’ve talked to say ‘it’s a blessing from Allah that the building is being destroyed,’” Bright quoted.

“The new construction constitutes a new beginning for the neighborhood. It is part of rebuilding of Iraq that is getting rid of the bad memories and adding new buildings for the positive future yet to come,” Bright added.

Demolition is expected to be complete by April 2010 with construction of the new compound beginning between June and August 2010. “The contractor is progressing well and is almost finished with the demolition of the fifth floor of the seven-story building,” Bright said.

"Construction of the new Explosives Ordinance Disposal compound is per Gulf Region South’s standard facility design,” Bright said.

“The EOD standard compound design throughout southern Iraq consists of a masonry block perimeter wall with an entry control point, parking area, concrete sidewalk access, an EOD building for approximately 100 explosive technicians, water storage and distribution system, a power generation system, and a sewage collection and treatment system.”

Construction completion of the new compound is expected in 2011.

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For high resolution photos: www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/index.asp

Note: Alicia Embrey is the public affairs chief with the Gulf Region South District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq. For more information, contact Alicia Embrey at (540) 665-2656 or email requests to Alicia.m.embrey@usace.army.milThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, visit www.grd.usace.army.mil.

The Gulf Region District, headquartered in Baghdad, is a joint effort comprising Civilians, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Contractors. GRD provides quality and sustainable engineering in support of civil/military construction in Iraq. GRD and its Iraqi partners are building a strong foundation for Iraq's future.

BUILDING STRONG® is the official slogan of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.